Cricketer Nitish Rana Eyes Delhi Comeback After Disappointing Uttar Pradesh Stint

After a two-year period with Uttar Pradesh, Nitish Rana, the 31-year-old cricketer, is expected to return to Delhi for the upcoming domestic season.

Nitish Rana showcasing his skills while playing for Rajasthan Royals.

Rana, a former captain of Delhi, had previously made the move to UP in 2023. His childhood coach, Sanjay Bharadwaj, emphasized the importance of home, stating, "Apna ghar toh apna hi hota hai (Nothing comes close to your home)." Bharadwaj confirmed Rana's return, adding, "Yes, he will be playing for Delhi this season. I had asked him not to move out then also. He didn't have a great season with Uttar Pradesh. As a professional cricketer, you have too much pressure."

"It is a wise decision from him that he is returning to Delhi. This is where he has played all his cricket, right from the age-group level. He even got his first India call-up while playing for Delhi. It is a smart move," said Bharadwaj, who has shaped the careers of Gautam Gambhir, Amit Mishra, Joginder Sharma, Unmukt Chand, and Priyansh Arya.

Rana's performance for Uttar Pradesh in the 2024-25 domestic season was underwhelming. He only scored 111 runs in nine games in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He participated in just two List A matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, scoring only 17 runs before being dropped. Following a succession of low scores, he was also dropped from the Ranji Trophy squad, having scored 150 runs in four games.

While his return does not automatically guarantee him a spot in the Delhi side, the left-handed batsman will participate in the second season of the Delhi Premier League (DPL), which will feature eight teams this year.

A source familiar with the situation stated, "This is not a dump station. When he asked for the No Objection Certificate (NOC) in 2023, we had requested him to stay and play for Delhi. He will have to earn his spot. There is no guarantee that he will get a chance right away."

Rana had a disappointing IPL 2025 season with the Rajasthan Royals, who acquired him for a significant Rs 4.20 crore in the auction. He only managed 217 runs in 11 games for the Royals.

The circumstances surrounding Rana's return to the Delhi team will be intriguing, especially given his prior altercation with Delhi captain Ayush Badoni during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy quarterfinals last year. Umpires had to intervene to separate the two players as tensions rose.